Air Traffic Services Flashcards
Air Traffic Services is a general term broadly incorporating the following?
ATC service, Flight Information Service, Alerting Service, Traffic Advisory Service
ATS are provided for what purposes?
Preventing collisions between aircraft. Preventing collisions between aircraft on the manoeuvring area and obstructions in that area. Expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic (ATC). Providing advice/ information for the safe and conduct of flights (FIS). Notifying appropriate organisations of aircraft in need of SAR and assisting as required.
What is a Flight Information Service (FIS)?
A service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of traffic.
What does a SIGMET contain?
Significant Meteorological Information. There are two types:
Convective: valid for 2 hours and concerns thunderstorms.
Non-Convective: Valid for 4 hours and concerns turbulence, icing, dust, sand and volcanic ash.
What does an AIRMET include?
Concise weather forecast concerning safety of aircraft but less pressing than a SIGMET. Also valid for 4 hours and concerns turbulence, icing, sustained winds and poor visibility conditions.
What is VOLMET?
Of French origins, a network of localised broadcasting stations reporting TAF, SIGMET and METAR reports.
Who provides FIS?
Within an FIR, a flight information centre will provide FIS, ATC units will provide FIS insidee controlled airspace and aerodromes.
What is ATIS?
Continuous broadcast of aeronautical information in busier terminal areas, aimed to reduce frequency congestion. May include active runways and approaches as well as weather information.
What is an Alerting service?
A service provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of SAR aid, and assist as required. This service is provided to all a/c provided with an ATC service, and as far as practical to other aircraft who have filed a flight plan or are believed to be subject to unlawful interference.
ALRS Responsibility
Whom the a/c was last in contact with, or who’s airspace the a/c was about to enter, and airspace at the a/c’s final destination.
ALRS responsibility 2
Unit responsible shall: coordinate with other relevant units and associated rescue coordination centre, request for assistance in obtaining helpful information, collate and send all information to rescue coordination centre, and announce termination of emergency when applicable.
Uncertainty Phase (INCERFA)
No communications within 30 mins of when it should have. Or failing to arrive within 30 mins of ETA.
Alert Phase (ALERFA)
Following INCERFA, subsequent attempts to establish comms have failed. Or aircraft fails to land within 5 mins of being cleared to land.
Distress Phase (DISTREFA)
Following ALERFA, further comms attempts unsuccessful, fuel on board is considered exhausted or insufficient to reach safety, information suggests the operating capabilities of a/c have been compromised, information suggests a/c is about to make a forced landing.
What are the uncertainty signals?
PAN PAN - aircraft wishes to notify ATC of difficulties
